Sermon On A New Beginning

Carol Burnett, an American comedian and actress once remarked: “Only I can change my life. No one can do it for me.” 1 Peter 1:3 reminds us: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

One of the definitions of a new beginning is a chance to start afresh, to do something differently, or make a positive change in life. We have recently experienced the birth of another year, a consistently recurring event that takes place each annum. It is a time that may induce a new purpose or perspective where resolutions are often made with good intent, even if they are not sustained. There is a pertinent idiom: “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” They may initially include a wish or determination to lead a healthier life, including perhaps taking more exercise, a better diet, a calmer state of mind, or a host of other possibilities. Matthew 26:41 confirms: “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

New beginnings can inspire personal growth. We could experience a new strength and definitive determination, perhaps it is a time to discard the old and welcome the new. A new vision or perspective may be formed that defies darkness and searches for light. A new doorway may be opened that changes the staid limited beliefs of some, and creates new attitudes. Past mistakes may be forgotten and the hope of a good future launches. Isaiah 43:19 reminds us: “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

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Perhaps one of the most beneficial changes one could consider at this time of year is the resolve to learn more about God for a better understanding and acceptance. 2 Corinthians 5:1-21 reminds us: “For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling[c] the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”